Underground Pharming

[dloc]

Am working on the design of an underground farming operation for the production of transgenic agricultural crops that have been genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals. Think of this facility as a totally contained very large growth chamber (or greenhouse). Facility will be built in a mineral-depleted underground limestone mine. Initial specs call for 10 acres of production capacity with a 1 acre initial test. Electric requirements will be driven by the need to recreate full sunlight. This means that we'll need ~1400 bulbs (MH, HPS, etc.) at 1000 watts per bulb per acre. Figure that bulb + ballast will consume 1150 watts. Distribution lines can be trenched into the limestone floor or hung from the ceiling. Lines feeding the lights will be attached to the ceiling. Ballasts will be attached to the ceiling with coiled cords running to the fixtures so that lights can be adjusted in height to accommodate crop height and moved up for equipment operation underneath. We assume operation at 480 volt. We also assume the need to incorporate individual "sensors" to monitor ballast and bulb function using either a wireline carrier or wireless transmission scheme. These sensors may also serve as the control switch for the light which would allow us to dynamically change light intensity.

Mines are dry and have no explosive gasses.

What are the design issues that need to be included in a RFP? What approaches can be taken to control installation costs? What needs to be developed?

 

[busbar]

msha.gov--for starters.

 

[dloc]

Started there. From their perspective, these are abandoned mines and they have no authority. Found the same respones at the state level in 4 states we have looked at. In some locations where the mine is under a town/city, an abandoned mine being repurposed will be considered a building and hence has to meet building codes.

 

[Ares]

Sounds like shelter for the few VIP after pollution or else destroys the rest of us.
Is it not to big a project to tackle in the newsgroup?
I already see 125 problems, we may start with the light spectrum of HPS bulb and it effect on crop.

 

[dloc]

Ares - Lots of problems, all of which can be solved. We're not at the point where there is concurrence that this ia d viable project. We've dealty with heat, ventiallation, worker safety, water control, biocontainment, equipment, etc. I am just trying to get a handle on the power distribution issues. It is last on the list because we thought it would be "simple".

Different plants require different spectral signatures which varies with their stage of growth. NASA has done a lot of work in this area because they have to feed interplanatary explorers. So you balance the spectral profile by turning different types of lights on/off. Greenhouses, especialy in Europe, use lots of artificial light to entend day length ahd supplement sunlight. But they are growing plants (flowers) that can thrive in lower light situations. Their power is all distributed in conventional ways.

I am looking for distribution schemes/approaches that are faster, simplier, more rugged, etc. Hence, we're willing to spring for a sensor system that can monitor each ballast and bulb. Does anyone make self-piercing connectors that are rated for 480v that can be ganged together to handle 4 distribution wires running the length of a "field"? A typical field might be 50' wide and 900' long; and we need a tap for a row of lights every 4'. How do we make the trade-off of running a single cable size the length of the field vs systematically stepping it down in size along its length?

If survival is important, move to Kansas City. Hunt Midwest (

http://www.huntmidwest.com/Subtropolis/Index.shtml)

has grain warehouses, MRE storehouses for the Army, etc. fed by 3 rail spurs and a >15 road portals. There are meat packing plants, schools, manufacturing plants, post offices and more underground.

 

[jbartos]

Suggestions:
1. 1000W lamp per acre will provide very low illumination level, a fraction of footcandle on the average.
2. If if there is not hazardous gas underground, it may develop after some earth tremors.
3. There may be some positive aspects for electrical power distribution in terms of ambient temperature stability.
4. If there is not enough light, there will be released a lot of carbon dioxide from plants.

 

[dloc]

Jbartos,
1. Please reread origninal post. 1,400 fixtures/bulbs per acre, each at 1150 watts which is why I'm interested in power distribution.
2. Not in the formations we are looking at, even after rare earthquake events (Mew Madrid fault).
3. Yes.
4. Not enough light, the seedlings die. No CO2 from decay. 20# dry matter/acre.

 

[jbartos]

Thank you Bioengineer for the clarifications.
Small encore: The power distribution may consist of surface cables fasten to supporting special brackets. Any direct installation of cable on the walls and ceiling could accumulate dust or deposits and cause chemical reactions between the cable surface, dust and wall surface.
Some computer simulation, at least for voltage drops, may be found cost effective, and beneficial to the lamps and other electrical equipment.